• The Lord adds people to the universal church when He saves them.
    • Matthew 16:18 - Jesus promises to build His church.
    • Mark 9:1 - The church would come in the lifetime of these people.
    • Luke 24:45-49 - The apostles would be clothed with power.
    • Acts 1:7-8
    • Acts 2 - For the first time in the history of man, the full gospel is preached to man.
    • I Corinthians 12:13 - There is only one body of Christ.
  • Saved people join together as local churches (although human mistakes occur)
    • Acts 9:26 - Paul rejected by disciples immediately after his conversion
    • I Corinthians 5:1-2 - Examples of mistakes of fellowship in local churches.
  • Let’s not let local church membership overshadow the saved relationship (universal church membership).
    • Colossians 1:2 - Those who are saved are described as having a relationship with God - not as being members of some local group.
    • We must be careful not to adopt the denominational idea that salvation comes through a local church.